Near East University demonstrates a strong commitment to educational outreach, fully aligning with the SDG objectives by expanding learning opportunities beyond the campus through a range of impactful programs in 2024. These initiatives are systematic, ongoing, and well-documented, with detailed coverage on the university’s website and in the media. This highlights our dedication to lifelong learning and active community engagement. Below are some notable examples of these efforts:
Ad hoc
Near East University Conducts Cultural Heritage-Focused Educational Workshop
Near East University’s Atatürk Faculty of Education, in collaboration with HASDER Handicrafts Center, organized a Lefkara Embroidery Educational Workshop between 21–28 December 2024. The workshop aimed to preserve and transmit Cypriot cultural heritage by introducing students to traditional Lefkara embroidery techniques.
Held at the HASDER building, the program brought together 10 students from the Art Education and Social Studies Education departments. Guided by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatma Miralay and Assoc. Prof. Dr. İpek Danju, participants engaged in hands-on learning activities and practiced the fundamental techniques of Lefkara embroidery. The sessions were further supported by HASDER instructor Aysel Kuburlu.
The workshop contributed to cultural awareness, creative skills, and community-based artistic engagement, while encouraging active student participation in heritage preservation initiatives. During the closing ceremony, Dean of the Atatürk Faculty of Education Prof. Dr. Umut Akçıl presented certificates to the students and emphasized the educational value of such cultural learning experiences.
Near East University Special Education Students Carry Out Inclusive Educational Activity
Students from the Special Education Teaching Department at Near East University carried out an applied educational activity at the Demirhan Barrier-Free Living House and Rehabilitation Center as part of the Community Service Practices course. The activity was designed to promote social awareness and support shared learning experiences with individuals with special needs.
Under the coordination of Prof. Dr. Mukaddes Sakallı Demirok and Lecturer Nurcan Kaya, future special education teachers engaged in experiential and inclusive learning activities, planting flowers and saplings in the garden of the center together with residents. This collaborative practice fostered environmental awareness, emotional development, empathy, and community engagement.
The event strengthened teacher candidates’ skills in inclusive education, social interaction, compassion, and hands-on learning, providing meaningful experience in community-based educational practices.
Near East University Conducts STEM Workshop for Female Students at Bayraktar Secondary School
Near East University faculty members Prof. Dr. Aşkın Kiraz and Prof. Dr. Engin Baysen delivered a hands-on STEM workshop for female students at Bayraktar Secondary School. The program aimed to strengthen girls’ participation in science and technology, support analytical thinking, and promote gender equality in STEM fields.
During the workshop, participants engaged in activities integrating science, engineering, technology, art, and mathematics. Students conducted experiments, built engineering models, worked on sustainability-themed projects, and explored creative solutions linking technology and art.
The instructors emphasized that the event supports girls’ empowerment, STEM literacy, and sustainable thinking, helping prepare future female leaders in science and innovation.
Language and Culture Workshop for Children Organized by Near East University and Partner Institutions
Near East University, in cooperation with the Refugee Rights Association and the Child Protection Institution, successfully organized a three-week “Language and Culture Workshop” for children aged 7 to 11. The program aimed to support children’s Turkish language development, promote cultural diversity, and strengthen social-emotional skills through inclusive educational activities.
The workshop was designed to encourage active participation through group activities, educational games, and interactive learning exercises. Each week focused on a different theme to build language proficiency and cultural awareness in a structured and engaging learning environment.
In the first week, participants explored themes such as friendship and love, engaging in reading and writing exercises as well as Turkish language games that supported vocabulary development and creative thinking. Students also practiced reading aloud using a text about bicycles, turning learning into an enjoyable experience through interactive activities.
During the second week, the workshop emphasized cooperation, empathy, and environmental sensitivity through fable-based learning. Activities included reading aloud, word-building games, and guided discussions that enhanced communication skills and promoted environmental awareness.
The program concluded with a Cypriot music performance and a certificate ceremony. Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul and Refugee Rights Association representative Nagehan Gökler Gürkaya presented participation certificates to the Turkish Language Teaching Department students who facilitated the workshop.
Children's Rights Day Educational Workshops in Local Preschools
Near East University, in collaboration with the Dikmen Municipality, organized a series of educational outreach workshops across local early-childhood institutions to mark Children’s Rights Day. The initiative aimed to support early childhood development, promote children’s rights awareness, and strengthen the university’s engagement with the community.
As part of this activity, workshops were held at Pınarbaşı Kindergarten, Yetenekli Eller Pre-School Education Center, and Elele Pre-School Education Center. The sessions were facilitated by Assist. Prof. Dr. Dervişe Amca Toklu and Specialist Hulin Sıddık, together with pre-service teachers from the Faculty of Education. Through interactive games, creative learning activities, and child-centered practices, children were supported in developing cognitive, social, and emotional skills.
The workshops were implemented as part of a series of structured community outreach activities by the Faculty of Education, ensuring direct educational support beyond campus and strengthening partnerships with local learning communities.
Additionally, third-year Education Faculty students prepared a Children’s Rights Day awareness display, emphasizing the importance of advocating for children’s rights and preparing future educators to act as leaders in child protection and inclusive education.
Near East University Celebrates World Hearing Day with Awareness Walk
Near East University’s Audiology Department students and faculty marked World Hearing Day with a one-day community outreach and awareness walk, held as an ad-hoc initiative to raise public understanding of hearing health and assistive hearing technologies.
On March 3, student volunteers and academic staff walked through the Dereboyu and Surlariçi regions of Nicosia wearing colorful demonstration hearing aids to draw attention to the importance of early hearing screening and intervention. Throughout the activity, participants engaged directly with community members, distributed informational materials, and shared key messages related to hearing health and the benefits of assistive listening devices.
The event aimed to reduce social stigma surrounding hearing aid use, promote regular hearing check-ups, and strengthen public awareness around preventable hearing loss. Supported by both students and faculty, this ad-hoc outreach initiative demonstrates Near East University’s continued contribution to health education beyond campus and meaningful engagement with the local community.
Personal Care & Well-Being Support for Elderly Residents at Kalkanlı Nursing Home
In March 2024, Near East University carried out an ad-hoc community outreach activity at the Kalkanlı Nursing Home as part of Elderly Week. The initiative was organized and supported by faculty and students from the Hair Care and Beauty Services Department, led by Assoc. Prof. Yeşim Üstün Aksoy.
During the visit, university students provided personal care and grooming services to elderly residents, contributing to their well-being and social connection. In addition to hands-on support, Assoc. Prof. Aksoy and participating students delivered informative guidance on daily self-care and personal hygiene routines. The educational component focused on practical strategies for maintaining hair and personal care at home, empowering residents with knowledge to support their dignity, confidence, and quality of life.
This activity reflects Near East University’s commitment to supporting vulnerable groups through meaningful student engagement and community-based outreach beyond the campus, while also promoting intergenerational interaction and social responsibility.
“Take Good Care of Yourself” Seminar Delivered to Local Community
The “Be Kind to Yourself” seminar was held on October 20, 2024, at the Dikmen Youth Center (DİGEM), organized by PhD students from the Near East University Faculty of Dentistry and Faculty of Health Sciences, in collaboration with the Dikmen Municipality.
While the organizational planning and coordination were carried out by doctoral students, the seminar presentations were delivered by expert faculty members. With strong participation from community members and university students, the event focused on promoting healthy lifestyle habits and covered topics including healthy nutrition, oral and dental hygiene, active aging, emotional well-being, and maintaining life balance.
This community-based outreach activity reflects Near East University’s commitment to public health education and demonstrates meaningful student engagement and faculty leadership in initiatives delivered beyond campus.
Near East University Music Education Students Conduct Community Program in Local Primary Schools
As part of their Community Service Applications course, students from the Music Education Department at Near East University carried out a structured educational outreach program in local primary schools. Under the guidance of Dr. Neriman Soykunt, the initiative aimed to support early music education and strengthen community engagement through hands-on learning activities beyond the university campus.
The program included interactive music-focused sessions at Zümrütköy Elementary School and Alayköy Elementary School, where university students introduced young learners to a variety of musical instruments. Children had the opportunity to explore instruments such as the violin, cello, and percussion drums through demonstrations and guided practice. The sessions encouraged active participation, curiosity, and creativity while fostering an appreciation for music from an early age.
This outreach initiative provided meaningful learning experiences not only for primary school students but also for the university participants, who gained practical teaching experience, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of educational responsibility and community service. Delivered as part of the curriculum, the program strengthened the link between academic learning and real-world impact, supporting inclusive access to educational opportunities in the wider community.
Through this program, Near East University continues to contribute to community-based education by extending learning beyond campus and enabling its students to play an active role in supporting local schools and fostering social responsibility.
On programmed basis
“Toleration Station” Activity Held Annually During Spring Term
Since 2022, students from the Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling at Near East University have been organizing the “Toleration Station” activity for Near East Primary School students every year during the spring term. The program lasts one week, with different learning stations implemented each day, and 5th grade primary school students participate in the activity.
The event consists of five interactive stations designed to enhance students’ emotional intelligence, empathy, cooperation, respect, and positive social communication skills. Throughout the activities, children engage in hands-on exercises focusing on cooperation, tolerance, humor-based emotional coping, and social-emotional awareness.
Actively carried out by university students, this initiative represents a sustainable educational outreach project extending beyond the university campus and contributes to social responsibility by supporting the development of younger age groups in the local school community.
“Station Technique and Exhibition” Event Held Annually Since 2023 at Dr. Suat Günsel Girne Preschool Education Center
Since 2023, Near East University’s Faculty of Education has been organizing the annual “Station Technique and Exhibition” outreach activity at the Dr. Suat Günsel Girne Preschool Education Center. As part of this initiative, university students and academic staff design and implement interactive learning stations tailored for early-childhood learners, allowing preschool-aged children to participate in hands-on activities that support various developmental areas — from cognitive tasks and fine-motor skills to creative play and scientific exploration.
This event demonstrates the University's commitment to expanding educational access beyond the campus by delivering structured, interactive learning environments directly to the local school community. Through these student-supported and faculty-guided stations, the initiative promotes early learning, community engagement, and lifelong education in alignment with SDG 4’s criteria for “education outreach activities beyond campus.”